In parts of the West Highlands the fisher folks build rough stone-dykes across the mouths of the small inlets, so as to form convenient places for keeping crabs and lobsters alive. My informant said he has often seated himself on a dyke and watched the conduct of the prisoners, and the moment the water of the rising tide entered through the stones they were in motion to meet it.
Here is a theory of the movements of the herring. When the tide begins to rise, the herrings that were lying at the bottom rise, and are carried southward with the flowing tide. When the tide begins to ebb, the herrings again go to the bottom, and lie till the tide begins to flow, when they again rise, and are carried farther southward. This accounts for the southern migration of the herring. (Findochty.)
The Boat.
Some boats are supposed to be unlucky, "have an unlucky spehl in them." I heard of a carpenter, now dead, that pretended to forecast what the fortune of the boat would be by the way a certain "spehl," or chip of wood, came off when he began the work of building.
Fishermen (Nairn) speak of "he-wood" and "she-wood," and they say that a boat built of "she-wood" sails faster during night than during day. They believe that one built of "stealt" (stolen) wood does the same. "A thief goes fast at night," said my informant.
To secure luck in fishing, the owner's wife must, when the boat is tarred, put on the first mop of tar. (Porthnockie.)
The boat has always to be turned, when in harbour, according to the course of the sun. The phrase in Buckie is: "Pit the boat's head wast aboot" (west about).[1]
When a new boat was to be brought home (Crovie), those, that were to do so, set out when the tide was "flouwin." When the boat arrived, the village turned out to meet her, and bread and cheese, with beer or whiskey, were given to all. A glass, with spirits or beer, was broken on the boat, and a wish for success was expressed in such form
- ↑ Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland, p. 199.
